Pandharpur is a major pilgrimage city in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is located in Solapur district of the state. On occasion of Aashadhi-Ekadashi it attracts more than half a million pilgrims from across the state and other parts of the country. Pandharpur is also known as Pandhari. The temple of Vithoba is the most prominent temple in Pandharpur. It is located on the bank of the Bhima River. The river is also called as Chandrabhaga River. Vitthal, Pandurang and Pandharinath are other names of the deity of the temple. He is believed to be a form of Lord Krishna who himself was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are idols of Vitthal and his wife Rukhmini also known as Rakhumai. The temple has 11th century scripture. The temple is spread over a wide area and has 6 gates with eastern gate named Namdev gate. There are other places of religious significance in and around it. Temple of Goddess Tuljabhavani is one of them. It is located at Tuljapur. Shri Shetra Akkalkot and temple of lord Dattatray at Gagapur are other place of religious importance near Pandharpur. Pandharpur is well connected by road to other parts of the state and the country. Many state run buses and other private vehicles are available from Solapur, Pune, Mumbai and other cities and towns of the state. The city of Solapur is just 74 km away from it while it is about 210 km away from Pune. Kuruwadi serves as the nearest railway head to Pandharpur is just 52 km away from it. Solapur is also the major railhead and is well linked by many trains to other cities and towns of the state. Pune airport serves as closest airbase to Pandharpur and is well linked to other major cities of India.
